Upland, Etwianda football players suspended after bizarre appeal

The Upland and Etiwanda High School football teams have crucial Baseline League finales Friday that will impact the playoffs, but both will be taking the field without some pivotal players.

A total of seven players, four from Etiwanda and three from Upland, have been issued suspensions by the CIF-SS as a result of a situation that occurred in last week’s game between those schools, according to Etiwanda Athletic Director Dave Masucci.

Masucci said he was notified Thursday morning. There is no appeal process, so the suspensions will stand. As is normally the case, the names of the players who will sit out have not been disclosed.

“It’s too bad because we both have big games,” Masucci said. “Ours are all starters and theirs are significant too.”

In the second half of last week’s game between the teams, an Etiwanda player was forced out of bounds by an Upland defender who was flagged for a late hit. The play spilled over onto the track.

An Upland player was ejected, but the game went on without further incident.

Upland appealed the original ejection and subsequent suspension of that one player, and the matter was referred to the Foothill-Citrus Officials Association.

When the tape was reviewed, the additional players were singled out.

Masucci said the suspensions on the Etiwanda side were for players leaving the bench area, which has been the case with suspensions dealt in several other Southern Section games this season.

“The play carried over on the track and our guys were moving to get out of the way. They deemed that area coming off the bench. It might seem a bit harsh but that’s the rule. You don’t necessarily have to get in a fight or throw a punch.”

The suspensions come at a bad time for both teams. Upland (6-3, 3-1) will be squaring off against Rancho Cucamonga (9-0, 4-0) with a chance to earn a share of the Baseline League title. The Highlanders have already secured a playoff berth, unlike Etiwanda (5-4, 2-2), which will be playing Los Osos (5-4, 2-2) for sole possession of third place.